Tamil Nadu sounds state-wide alert after mass crow deaths: What you need to know about the bird flu scare

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries issued an advisory urging strict biosecurity measures for poultry farmers and those handling wild birds.

The Directorate of Public Health, Dr A Somasundaram, warned the public to follow safety protocols and seek immediate medical care if they develop flu-like symptoms, such as cough, cold, fever, or breathing difficulties. We ask slaughterhouse workers and those handling sick or dead birds to exercise extra caution.

பத்திரிக்கை செய்தி – பறவை காய்ச்சல்
Avian Influenza Press Release – BIRD FLU@CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin @Subramanian_ma @TNHealthDept @NHM_TN @MoHFW_INDIA @UNICEFIndia @icmrnirt @UNDP_India @TNDIPRNEWS @icmr_nie pic.twitter.com/STPvpRPayy

— Directorate of Public Health & Preventive Medicine (@TNDPHPM) February 6, 2026

The Animal Husbandry department has ordered the officials to intensify the surveillance of crows, migratory birds, and poultry, banned field autopsies of dead birds, and directed carcasses to be tested only at designated Regional Disease Diagnostic Labs.

The advisory further mandated that all the dead birds must be burnt or buried deep to prevent any spread of infections.

The public has been asked to immediately report any unusual bird deaths to the animal husbandry department to prevent a possible spillover to humans.

(With PTI inputs)